Job Posting: Senior Staff Biologist

California Energy Commission

JC-527490
-
Senior Staff Biologist
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 8/26/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Biological Resources Unit Supervisor, the Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) will serve as a lead scientific expert for biological resources and natural resources conservation associated with the certification, environmental review, and compliance verification of the most highly complex and extremely sensitive energy facility projects, policy, and planning studies in accordance with the Warren-Alquist Act and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) is a subject matter expert and independently plans and conducts complex, critical environmental evaluations; reviews and interprets biological surveys, studies, and reports; conducts technical research; assesses potential impacts to species and habitats; and develops mitigation measures, monitoring requirements, and recommendations. The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) formulates and develops solutions to extremely difficult and controversial issues on a wide range of projects.

The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) prepares technically accurate environmental analyses, communicates complex scientific information to technical and non-technical audiences, and works collaboratively with agencies, stakeholders, industry representatives, consultants, and multidisciplinary teams to resolve complex environmental issues. The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) may also act as a working team leader or as a lead person over a group of technical specialists or on the most complex projects.

Minimum Qualifications (MQs): The MQs for this classification can be found at Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist).The documents you submit in your application package must highlight how you meet the MQs. If the MQs are not met, you will not be considered for this position.

Education Information: If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please provide your unofficial transcripts. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide evaluated transcripts. The transcript evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org.Official transcripts and official foreign degree transcripts will be required prior to appointment. If you are not using education to qualify for this classification, you do not need to submit transcripts. To bypass the required document, select Choose/Upload and select Bypass File.


Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey at CEC Recruitment Survey.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The CEC supports a hybrid workplace model with office-based and remote-centered workers. Limited in-person attendance and occasional travel may be required based on the needs of the division. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to successful performance. This position is remote-centered, which means the incumbent works 50 percent or more of their time from an alternate work location. Teleworking is only available for employees who reside in California. You must be located in California and provide your in-state address prior to your start date.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-527490
Position #(s):
535-760-0765-001
Working Title:
Senior Staff Biologist
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The CEC was established by the Legislature in 1974 to address energy challenges facing the state. Today, the CEC is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency and is leading the state to a 100% clean energy future. Serving all Californians, the CEC embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has taken an active and meaningful role in creating an environment that enables each employee to thrive. The CEC operates under the umbrella of the California Natural Resources Agency and shares offices with the agency in a LEED Platinum Certified Building in downtown Sacramento.

The California Energy Commission seeks a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) in the Siting, Transmission and Environmental Protection Division / Siting and Environmental Branch / Biological Resources Unit. If you are interested in a challenging and exciting career in clean energy and are passionate about renewable, efficient, and reliable energy that addresses climate change, join our diverse team of global energy leaders! The California Energy Commission plays a lead role in creating the energy system of the future, not just in California, but globally. This position is open to interested applicants who qualify. This can be a multi-step process. To be eligible to be hired:

1) Create an online CalCareers account. For a tutorial on the state application process, visit California State Hiring Process Instructional Video Series – YouTube or contact Careers@energy.ca.gov.  

2) Complete Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) exam and pass the to be eligible to be hired for available positions. See information on Energy Commission Assessments and Exams.  

3) To apply for this position, submit an application package through your CalCareers account. An application package must include all items under the “Required Application Package Documents” section. Resumes will not be accepted in place of a State Examination and Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications must include “to” and “from” dates (month/day/year), time base (full-time/part-time/number of hours per week/month), and applicable civil service classifications.

State employees are subjected to a temporary reduction in pay in exchange of 2025 Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific reduction rate and hours were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit agreement.
Department Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov

Special Requirements

You must include the following if you are applying by mail or in person:
1) How you are eligible (list eligibility, transfer within state service, reinstatement, SROA/surplus, etc.) in the Explanations box on the first page of the STD. 678.
2) The Job Control number JC-527490 and the title of the position you are applying for in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) box on the first page of the STD. 678.
3) Request for Personnel Action Number RPA 760-270 in the Explanations box of the STD. 678.
4) Your original signature at the bottom of the first page of the STD. 678.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 8/26/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

California Energy Commission
Personnel Office - Postal
Attn: RPA 760-270 | JC-527490
715 P Street, MS-3
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

California Energy Commission
Personnel Office - Drop Off
RPA 760-270 | JC-527490
715 P Street, MS-3
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Other - Cover Letter – Include a cover letter of no more than one page in length describing why you are the best candidate for this position.
  • Statement of Qualifications - See below for Statement of Qualifications information. 
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
1. Extensive knowledge and experience working with federal and state laws adopted for the protection of natural resources, including CEQA, the U.S. Endangered Species Act, U.S. Clean Water Act, and the California Endangered Species Act.
2. Experience collaborating with federal and state agencies (including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the State Water Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards) in evaluating potential impacts to natural resources and developing mitigation strategies to eliminate or reduce those impacts.
3. Experience conducting biological resources surveys and field studies.
4. Experience conducting project compliance inspections to confirm adherence to permit conditions and assuring compliance with adopted project Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting requirements pursuant to CEQA.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Personnel Office
(916) 654-4309
personnel.services@energy.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Equal Employment Opportunity Contact
(279) 226-1002
EEO@energy.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Statement of Qualifications

Include an SOQ that answers the questions below. Your SOQ should be no longer than two pages, single-spaced, with no smaller than 12-point font. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. Visit How to Write a Statement of Qualifications for instructions.

1) Describe how your experience/education meets or exceeds the minimum qualifications of this classification, Environmental Scientist Series – CalHR.

2) Describe your experience conducting biological resources surveys and field studies.

3) Describe your relevant experience in preparing evaluations pertaining to the impacts to natural resources (botanical, wildlife and aquatic) of development plans, programs, and policies related to compliance with federal and state laws.

4) Describe your experience coordinating and collaborating with federal and state agencies in developing conditions of compliance and monitoring requirements in accord with applicable Laws, Ordinances, Regulations and Standards (LORS).

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
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